Seven Democratic mayors from Bergen County are calling on Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Wyckoff) to run for governor next year and pledged their endorsement if he does.
Support for Gottheimer comes from Mark Sokolich of Fort Lee, Gail Friedberg Rottenstrich of Fair Lawn, Paul Kim of Palisades Park, Kristine Morieko of Glen Rock, Mark Zinna of Tenafly, William Ziegler of Leonia, and Richard Bolan of Maywood.
“For the past eight years, Congressman Gottheimer has been a champion for our communities and families in Washington — working tirelessly to lower childcare costs, invest in infrastructure, including the Gateway Train Tunnel, protect reproductive freedom, and fight for common sense gun safety laws,” the seven mayors said. “Josh has clawed millions of dollars back to our communities from Washington to help lower taxes, keep our families safe, ensure we have clean drinking water, and make sure our law enforcement, firefighters, and EMTs have the resources they need.”
They also cited Gottheimer’s five-year crusade to stop congestion pricing, which he argued would have cost New Jerseyans who work in parts of New York City roughly $4,000 annually, on top of tolls and parking.
Fort Lee and Fair Lawn are the third and fourth largest municipalities in Bergen County, respectively. Kim leads a town with a Korean American majority and the most Korean Americans per square mile of any municipality in the nation. Zinna sought the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in 2017.
“We’ve had the opportunity to see Josh’s approach to governing up close. Whether it’s dealing with storm flooding, fixing potholes, helping a senior or a veteran, Josh just gets it done and protects our Jersey Values,” the group of mayors stated. “Day or night, Josh always answers the phone and helps us solve the problem. Nothing is too big or too small. We need that can-do approach to governing and commitment to every single Jersey family. It’s why we want Josh to run for Governor, and if he does, we will be proud to support him.”
This is the second wave of elected officials telling Gottheimer to run: in July, some of the most powerful Democrats in Hudson County said they would support him if he enters the 2025 race.
That gave Gottheimer County Executive/Democratic County Chairman Craig Guy, Union City Mayor/State Sen. Brian P. Stack, Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis, West New York Mayor Albio Sires, and Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner.
Gottheimer faces Republican Mary Jo Guinchard in his bid for a fifth term in Congress from New Jersey’s 5th district. He was elected in 2016, ousting seven-term GOP incumbent Scott Garrett (R-Wantage).
The former Clinton White House speechwriter represents a large part of Bergen County in Congress.
He is considered a likely candidate for governor, along with Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair), who is also expected to enter the race after the November general election.
Democrats have four announced candidates: Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, former Senate President Steve Sweeney, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, and New Jersey Education Association President Sean Spiller.
Fulop has endorsements from the two largest municipalities in Bergen County: John Labrosse of Hackensack and Michael Pagan of Teaneck.
Gov. Phil Murphy is term-limited.